In September, over 250 people attended the Norwalk Land Trust (NLT) Fall Equinox Sunset Reception at the Charles I. Schoendorf Farm Creek Preserve to celebrate the beginning of the fall season. Families, friends, and local officials enjoyed the last summer sunset together while remembering the efforts made by NLT and community supporters to conserve precious land and wildlife habitat. Children were able to explore specimens of the natural world at a wildlife table, learning about animals and nature. Matt Scott beautifully created a video highlighting the event, the speakers, and preserve...

The Wallingford Land Trust (WLT) bought a pivotal piece of land on Beseck Mountain; the 14-acres includes a part of the Mattabesett section of the New England National Scenic Trail (NET). The NET is a 215-mile-long federally designated hiking trail since 2009, but its existence is long-standing for over half a century according to the National Park Service. The trail runs through 41 communities in both CT and Massachusetts, this particular portion crosses over trails under the CT Forest and Park Association's stewardship as well...

The Northern Connecticut Land Trust (NCLT) recently nominated two of its properties, the Webster Preserve and Echo Ridge, to join the Old Growth Forest Network (OGFN). The OGFN is part of a national forest protection effort to protect and restore old-growth forests. OGFN identifies old forests, verifies public access, and ensures logging is prohibited in order to qualify forests for membership. While the NCLT properties are not necessarily old growth yet, with protection they can become strong candidates for OGFN recognition...

CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) added 284 acres of land in Hebron to the 752-acre Bishop Swamp Management Area in Andover. This new area, as of November 1, is open to small game hunting seasons of waterfowl, deer (fall archery only), and turkey (fall archery only). Signs and property boundaries have been set up to inform hunters where hunting is permitted. The Fracchia property was acquired in two phases with funding from the State Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Program and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program...

Through a collaborative effort between the Bolton Land Trust, farm owner Richard L. Barger, the Connecticut Farmland Trust, and the US Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the 22-acre Barger Farm in Bolton was successfully protected. Barger, upon seeing the plot of rich farmland for sale, bought the land in hopes to see it protected. Through his donation and the collaborative efforts of the organizations involved, they ensured the farmland will be available to future farmers forever...

There's a chill in the air, the last of the leaves have gone, snow is falling, and animals are heading into hibernation for the arrival of winter. While the spring and summer festivals are long gone and the fall harvests are done, the work of Connecticut land trusts span all seasons! This month's series of stories focus mainly on the various land acquisitions Connecticut land trusts and their partners have acquired at the turn of the Fall Equinox.

There is always a story behind the land that we enjoy. Be it through an anonymous donation, saving up to buy a parcel of land at the right time, or through a collaborative effort of like-minded groups, these stories exemplify the collective mission of conserving land for the benefit of the environment and future generations.

So while you finish up those last-minute year-end tasks, finalize winter holiday plans, or even look back on sunnier days, take a small break by the fire and remember to #LoveYourCTLandTrust!

Scouts hiking trip on Webster Preserve courtesy of Northern CT Land Trust

Staff putting up signage courtesy of Ann Kilpatrick, CT DEEP Wildlife Division

Rich Barger courtesy of Kimball Cartright of the CT Farmland Trust.